MCALLEN Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit and the McAllen Police Department arrested Guadalupe Lopez Jr., 22, of Alamo, and Abel Castro Jr., 44, of McAllen, for using the Internet to prey on children.

These defendants are charged with arranging to meet and sexually assault a minor child, Attorney General Abbott said. Friday’s joint operation by the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the McAllen Police Department led to the arrest of two suspected Internet predators. We are grateful to McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez and his officers for their assistance with these cases and their commitment to Texas children.

Working with the McAllen Police Department, the Cyber Crimes Unit arrested Lopez on Friday in McAllen. According to investigators, Lopez arranged to meet and sexually assault someone he believed to be a 14-year-old female he had met online. When he arrived at the pre-arranged residence, Lopez met law enforcement authorities instead of the underage child.

Lopez was booked into the McAllen Police Department jail and charged with online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony. If convicted, Lopez faces two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. At the time of the arrest, Lopez indicated he is a student at a vocational and technical training institute.

The Cyber Crimes Unit and McAllen Police Department also arrested Castro on Friday in McAllen. According to investigators, Castro traveled to a residence where he planned to meet and sexually assault a 14-year-old male he had met online. When Castro arrived at the residence, he instead encountered law enforcement officers.

Castro was booked into the McAllen Police Department jail and charged with online solicitation of a minor and attempted sexual assault of a child, both third-degree felonies. Each charge carries punishment of two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. At the time of the arrest, Castro was employed as a sixth grade teacher in Edinburg.